Themalt whiskies from the Highlands are the most varied, but they
are in general smoky and smooth, sometimes with more than a hint
of sherry. The Highlands include most of the western islands but
not Speyside, which,, although geographically considered part of
the Highlands is treated as a separate region by virtue of the density
of distilleries found there.

AN
CNOC 12 YEARS OLD 40%

Known
as Knockdhu until the DCL marketing men found The Gaelic. Rich straw
colour with a fresh medium bodied nose. Full-bodied, sweet and lightly
peated flavour with a long smooth and sweet finish.

BALBLAIR
ELEMENTS NAS 40%

The
air in Edderton on the Dornoch firth where Balblair is distilled
is said to be the purest in Scotland. It is this fourth element
- the purest of air - combined with the other elements that gives
Balblair its smooth, light, delicate and refreshing taste.

Mid
amber colour with gold highlights. Dark sweet nose with a light
nutty character. Sweet to start with an appetising nutty tinge on
the side and a slightly dry note as it slides over the back of the
tongue.

BLAIR
ATHOLL 12 year old 43%

Pale,
mid amber colour with golden highlights, a fullish but slightly
green nose with a fresh smokiness. Full-bodied, sweetish palate
with a smoky tang and a long slightly smoky finish with a sweet
note.

CLYNELISH
14 year old 43%

Pale
amber colour with greenish gold highlights. Rich full nose with
a background smokiness and a hint of citrus. Very complex palate,
rich and full with a smoky sweetness followed by an elegant finish
with bitter chocolate notes.

BENRIACH
12 year old 43%

Open
two years, closed for sixty-four and reopened in 1965 this is one
of the few distilleries still to have floor maltings. Straw gold
colour with a distinctive fresh appley nose. Full-bodied, dry flavour
with a chocolate note and a long lingering spicy finish

DALWHINNIE
15 year old 43%

From
the highest distillery in the Highlands, Dalwhinnie has a rounded
smoothness with touches of honey and heather and a smokey subtlety
all of its own.

The
colour of antique copper, golden with a rosy hue. A complex balance
of sweet and dry flavours, bitter chocolate being offset with a
fresh minty note Hints of port and walnut evident in the finish.

GLENMORANGIE
Sherry Wood Finish NAS 43%

The
colour of light gold, full bodied, even and creamy. A subdued sweet
flavour at the outset with a light and dry finish. Sherry and nuts
are both evident, combining to produce a long, warm aftertaste.

GLENMORANGIE
18 years old 43%

GLENTAUCHERS
1979 40%

Light
amber colour with gold highlight and a medium nose with good nutty
richness, delicately peated with an aroma of dried apricots. Nutty,
oaky and medium sweet flavour with a touch of spice and a fresh,
smooth, light nutty finish.

JACOBITE
No age statement 40%

Aged
in oak casks to produce a smooth taste with light peaty traces offering
a good and lingering character

LONGMORN
15 years old 45%

Much
favoured as a "top dresser" by blenders this was considered
by Professor RJS McDowall as one of Scotland's top malts. Mid amber
colour with gold highlights. Rich, full bodied soft oak nose with
a grapey fruitiness. Quite full-bodied flavour: round, soft and
smooth medium sweet with a delicate edge of smokiness and a rich
smooth finish.

From
the most northerly mainland distillery where the now fast disappearing
practice of leaving others to bottle is still followed. Pale gold
colour tinged with green. Delicately pungent nose with a faint tang
of ozone. Pungent smokey and clean flavour with a refreshingly dry
smoky finish. Gordon & MacPhail bottling.

Island

Strictly
speaking part of the Highland Region, Scotland's many islands produce
a number of whiskies. You may be forgiven for thinking that Islay
is the only Scottish island to produce whisky because excellent
promotion has elevated an island of only six distilleries to area
status. This group of Highland malts collects together some of the
products of Scotland's other western islands.

ISLE
OF JURA 10 Year Old 40%

From
the Argyllshire island of the same name the whisky has a pale straw
colour with light greenish tinges. Very delicately flavoured, lightly
smoky with a pleasant nuttiness its finish is very smooth and lingers
well.